Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Saturday - December 31, 2011
From: Collegeville, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives, Groundcovers, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Non-native invasive chickweed in Collegeville PA
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
My problem is chickweed. I have found considerable information on how to eliminate the chickweed. My question is after following a suggested elimination process: How and when do I reseed with grass?ANSWER:
There are two plants referred to by the common name "chickweed:" Stellaria media, common chickweed, and Cerastium glomeratum, sticky chickweed. This website from the University of California Integrated Pest Management on Chickweed will give you more information on the habits of the plant as well as means of control. The species are quite similar and both are native to Eurasia; therefore, they will not appear in our Native Plant Database. Although the plant is non-native, it nevertheless grows in every state in North America, as well as most of the Canadian provinces as you can see from this USDA Plant Profile Map.
As best as we were able to understand, it does its major growing in early Spring, and that is the most effective time to be weeding it out of the ground. We are assuming you are referring to planting lawn grasses which, when mature, should be taller than the approximately 4" height of the chickweed, and can therefore shade out the invasive weed. We are unfamiliar with the lawn grasses in Pennsylvania and would suggest you contact the Penn State Extension Office for Montgomery County. They should have information either online or in printed form on lawn grasses for your area, including when and how they should be planted.
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Turf grass for part-time home from Louisville KY
April 28, 2012 - We have a small yard at a remote location with cistern water, and need a turf grass for a yard, clay soil, which I am willing to amend. It will receive sporadic attention as my husband and I do not l...
view the full question and answer
Is installing irrigation with Habiturf a good idea in Round Rock Texas?
December 05, 2011 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I am in the process of planning a new lawn in my front yard. We have decided to plant the Habiturf seed mix (thank you, by the way). Originally, we planned on installing a spri...
view the full question and answer
Native grasses for traffic area in Austin
February 11, 2009 - What time of the year is best to plant grass seed in Central Texas? My lawn is in bad shape due to the drought and my dogs. I am considering replanting with tall fescue, do you have any comments or ...
view the full question and answer
Irrigation of landscaping project after 1 year in San Antonio
November 10, 2010 - Hello, I am working on a project in San Antonio where the following vegetation types have been specified: cedar elm, bald cypress, 'Tifway 419' bermuda grass, mountain laurel, esperanza, and lantana...
view the full question and answer
Resources for a green roof project from Wayne PA
April 14, 2013 - Hello! I am researching a project to create a native wildflower/ turf mix for a green roof. I would ideally like to grow it as a sod mat, and then install it in rolls. I am currently working as an i...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |